Pneumatic dispatch system



Jan. 12 1932.

C. S. JENNINGS PNEUMATIC DISP ATd I-I SYSTEM Filed Feb. 7, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1932- c. 5. JENNINGS 1,840,394

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed Feb. '7, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 12, 1932.

c. 5. JENNINGS PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed Feb. 7, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 12, 1932. c. 5. JENNINGS. 1,840,394

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed Feb. 7, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 UNITED, S ATES Patented Jan. 12, 1932 PATENT OFFICE CHEST ER S. JENNINGS, OF, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE LAMSON COMPANY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Application filed rebmawr, 1931. Serial No. 514,093.

This invention relates to an improvement in pneumatic dispatch tube systems and more particularly in mechanism by which the carriers" transported through the tube under pressure or vacuum from a central station are guided to a predetermined out-station of the type shown in my copending application Serial No. 514,092, filed February 7, 1931.

' carrier impelling flow of air; mechanism at each of the various outstations operated by the carrier in transit for cutting off the flow of air as the carrier approaches its designintion; and locking mechanism at the central station by which the insertion into the system of a second carrier is preventedwhile the first carrier is still in transit. I

()ther objects of theinvent-ion reside in the details of eonstructionof switch unit control mechanism, locking mechanism and other elements of the system as will appear from a consideration of the following description of one embodiment of the invention and of the drawings, which form apart thereof and in which;

Fig. 1 illustrates I diagrammatically the system selected as illustrating theinvention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged side elvations with parts broken away illustrating a switch unit;

- Fig. at is asection view of the deflecting tongue of the unit; I

Figs. 5,6 and Tillustrate the outstation control mechanism insectional side elevation, plan anc enlarged partially sectioned plan I respectively;

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate in sectional elevations-the locking mechanlsm at the central station dispatching terminal in effective po siti-on:

Fig. '10 is a sectional view similar to F ig. 8 of, a portion of the locking mechamsm 1n ineffective position; and

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram illustrating one system of electric control that might be employed.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for the purpose of illustration and not of limitation the system (illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1) comprises a central station A and outstations B, C, D and E between which the carriers travel connected by suitably formed tubing of any well known type. The tubing comprises a main line by which thecentral station A is connected to the end outstation E, branch lines 11, 12 and 13 through which carriers are transported from the main line to the outstations B, C and D respectively, and a return line 14 through which carriers are returned to the central station. The illustrated system is of the vacuum type and the carrier impelling flow of air is set up in the system by means of an electric motor 15 connected to the tubing by a pipe 16 and controlled by a main switch 17 At the central station A are provided a dispatching terminal 20 and a delivery terminal 21 and at each of the several outstations are provided a dispatching terminal 22 and a receiving terminal 23. Such terminals form no part of the present invention and may be of any well known type.

As here shown each terminal 22 comprises a door 24 which when opened actuates a circuit maker 25 and operates the motor 15 through a time control 26 of the relay type and the terminal 23 comprises a receptacle 27 of any suitable type which receives the carrier and a lamp 28, which is automatically lighted by a circuit maker 29 tripped by the arriving carrier when received in the receptacle 27 ,A plurality of switch units 30, normally set so that the carriers continue along the main line, are provided in the system one at the juncture of each branch line with the main line. Each branch line includes a carrier actuated mechanism by which the carrier impelling flow of air is cut off so that any oversupply and consequent wastage of I power. is reduced to a minimum. At the central station A is provided on the main line a locking'mcchanism 90 by which the insertion of a carrier is prevented except when the flector tongue 32 pivotally mounted .at one.

end. .The tongue 32 in its normal position (Fig. 2) permits the. free travel of carriers through the housing 31 along the main line and in its operative position (Fig.3) deflects the carrier and much of its impelling flow of air from the main line into the branch line.

The tongue 32, as shown in Fig. 4, has guiding flanges 33 so that each face has a surface corresponding to the contour of the tubing,and extends substantially from one side to the other of the housing 31 so that inthe deflecting position a large part of the impelling'air as well as the carrier is guided into the branch line which may be of any desired length. The tongue is mounted upon a shaft 34 carried in the housing 31 betweenthe branch and main line, the outer ends of the shaft projecting beyond the walls of the housing. To each end of the shaft 34 is secured an arm 35 which arms are connected by a yoke 36 to a pneumatic control device 37 mounted upon the housing wall. The device 37 may be of any well known construction including a diaphragm 38 which divides the casing into two compartments and to which is secured a shaft 39. The shaft 39 projects beyond the casing and is secured atone end to the yoke 36 and surrounded at the other end by a coil spring 40, which nor mally holds the diaphragm in the position indicated in Fig. 2with the tongue 32' re tracted so that carriers may travel freely along the main line. The compartment 41 at the left of the diaphragm in Fig. 2 is con-.

nected to the main line through a pipe 42', so

that the air in that compartment is at all times in the same condition as the air in the line. From the compartment 43 at the right of the diaphragm in Fig. 2 extends a pipe 44 normally closed'at its outer end by a cap 45. The cap 45 is secured at the lower end of a shaft 46, the upper end of which is'connected to the core 47 of a solenoid 48.

- Mounted upon the shaft 46 is a collar 49 and the shaft is normally depressed so that the cap 45 closes the end of the pipe 44by a spring 50 hearing at one end upon the collar 49 and at the other'end upon a bracket 51 carried by the housing 31. Fixed upon one leg of the yoke 36 behind the collar 49 is a plate 52 with which coact a pair of pawls 53, 54 mounted upon the housing, one at each sideof the yoke. Set screws 55,.56 carried by i the collar 49 coact with pins 57, 58fon'the 1 pawls 53, 54 respectively in the manner and 'for the purpose hereinbelow described.

Suitable bumpers 60 are provided inthe interior of the housing which the tip of the tongue 32 engage. The mechanism by which the flow ofthe carrier impelling air is cut off as the carrier approaches an outstation, as illustrated in Figs. 5,6 and 7, comprises a housing 71 having a pocket 72 at one side thereof in which is pivotally supported a finger 73. In the tubing of the branch line which is surrounded by the housing 71 is formed a longitudinally extending slot 74 through which the tip of the finger 73 normally projects into the path of travel ofcarriers through the line. The finger 73 is fixed upon a shaft 75 which extends at one end beyond the wall of the housing 7l into a circuit control device 76 mounted thereon, and at the other end into a boss 77. A spring 78' surrounds the portion of the shaft-'75 in the boss 77 and acts to hold the finger 73in the normal position shown. The device76 in the present installation acts as a circuit breaker and is connected to the circuit about to be described by wires which enter; through a conduit 79. Bumpers 80 of rubber orsimilar material limit the travel of the finger 73. V

The'locking mechanism'90 on the inlet end of the main iineat the centrai station A,;as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 comprises a housing 91 having apocket 92 at one side thereof in which ispivotally mounted a lever 93. Slots 94,95 are made in the wall of the tubing through which the ends of the lever may projec't into the path'of travel of the carriers. The lever 93 Consists of two sections 96, 97 pivoted upon afiXed pin 98 and caused to move inunison by the provision of a notch 99 at the end of section 96 and a tongue 100 on section 97, the tongue being normally held in contact with one wall of the notch by a spring 101 one end of which contacts with the other wall of the'notch and the other end enters a pocket 102 in the tongue 100. i

' The lever 93' is normally'held in the position'shown in Fig; 10 by suitable spring means such asthe coil spring'105, one end of which enters a pocket 106 in the lever section 96, while the other bears against the wall of-the'pocket 92. In order to position the spring is provided a pin 107 pivoted at one end in a recess in the section 96, and a hole 108 in the pocket wall into which the pin passes. To secure-the lever in the effective locking position shown in Fig. 8 is provided a' latch 110 and a latch pin 111. A solenoid unit 112 supported upon a shelf 113 carried by and in the present case integral with the housing 91 pivotally supports the latch, which is normally held out of the functioning position'by a spring 114 and connected to the core 115 of the solenoid 116, which when energized holds the'latch in the functioning position. A bumper 117 limits the opening movement ofthe latch. The latch pin 111 is slidably supported in the section 96, being norand 124- are mally raisedby a spring118 so that its nose yieldably projects into a pocket 119 found in the lever section andinto which the nose of thelatch 110 also projects.

Supported upon the wall of the pocket 92 above the solenoidunit 112 is a circuit control device 120 from which a pin 121 projects through a hole 122 into the pocket 92. The pin 121 is so positioned that, when the lever 93 is in its normal position, it is engaged by the section 97 and depressed thus tripping the circuit control device, which in the prescntinstance is a circuit maker, and opening the circuit controlled thereby. The connection of the sections 96 and 97 permits the section 9710. yield in case a long carrier has been inserted. The nose of the section 97 however prevents the insertion of a second carrier until the solenoid 116 has been deenergized and the latch raised. Bumpers 123 provided to limit the travel of the lever 93.

At the central station A is provided means for controlling the operation of the system when dispatching carriers to the various outstations. Such means in the illustrative embodiment comprises a panel board upon which aremounted, a series of buttons B, C, D and E, a series of red bulbs 125, 127, 129, and 131-, .a series of green bulbs 126, 128, 130 and 132 and a reset button 135 (see Fig. 11). It will be understood that the button B, and bulbs 125 and "126 are employed when a carrier is sent to outstation B and that similar arrangements of buttons and bulbs are associated with the other outstations. The operation of this system willbe described in connection with the diagram set forth in Fig. 11; as illustrating one system of wiring that may be employed. Upon the diagram have been applied as far as possible the reference characters hereinabove employed in connection with various elements of the system.

The various operations which take place when a carrier is to bedispatched from central station A to any outstation will now be described, and for. convenience of description it will be assumed that the carrier is to be dispatched to the outstation B. The operator first depresses the button B which completes a circuit, hereinafter designated as the primary circuit, from the main line 150, through lead 152, switch 153, lead 154, button E, coil 155 of a control relay 156, lead 157, reset button 135. lead 160, and circuit breakers 76 of the cutoff mechanisms 70 at the various outstations to the main line 151. The coil 155 so energized closes the switches 161, 162 and 163 of the relay 156, which thereupon complete the-following circuits. The switch 161 completes a-holding circuit around thebutton B through lead 164 and maintains the primary circuit after the button has been released. The switch 162 closes two circuits.

.' The first circuit lights the'red bulb 125 and is traced from main line 150 through lead 152, switch 162, leads 165, 166, bulb 125, and lead 167 to main line 151. The second circuit energizes the solenoid 48 of the carrier switch 30 at station Band is traced from main line 150 through lead 152, switch 162, leads 165, 166, solenoid 18, and lead 170 to the main line 151. The switch 163 also closes two circuits. The first circuit energizes the solenoid 116 of the locking mechanism 90 at the inlet end of the main line and is traced from main line 150 through lead 152, switch 163, leads 172, 173, solenoid 116 and lead 174 to main line 151. The second circuit sets the motor in operation and is traced from main line 150, through lead 152,.switch 163, leads 172, 173, coil 175 of a control relay 176 and lead 174 to main line 151; the energizing of the coil 175 closing the switch 177 of the relay 176 and thereby completing acircuit from main line 150 through lead 152, switch 177, lead-s 178, 179, solenoid 180 of the main motor switch relay 17, leads 181 and 182 to main line 151.

The motor 15 thereupon sets up a flow of carrier propelling air through the system. The solenoid -18 at the switch (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) raises the shaft 16, lifting cap 15 and opening the pipe 44 to the atmosphere and, as the collar 19 ascends, the set screw raises the pawl 53 out of contact with the plate 52 so that the yoke 36 is free to travel to theleft in Fig. The suction created in the compartment dlthrough pipe 12 draws the diaphragm 38 against the tension of the spring 10 so that the shaft 39 pushes the yoke 36 to the'left and, through the arms and shaft 3%, shifts the tongue 32 into the deflecting position shown in Fig. 3 in which it is held by the pawl 54 which rises into engagement with the plate 52. V

The lighting of the bulb 125 indicates to the operator the station to which the carrier will be sent. f a mistake has been made the circuits abovedescribed may be broken by depressing the reset button 135 and opening the primary circuit through the coil of the relay 156. The proper setting of the system may now be carried out, it being understood that the depression of buttons C, D or E completes circuits similar to those above described so that the carrier will be dispatched to the proper station. Obviously when a carrier is to be dispatched to station E there is no switch to be set. The carriers now inserted into the inlet end of the main line, striking against the nose of the lever 93 and forcing it into the position shown in F ig. 8 in which it is held by the latch 110 thrown into operative position by the solenoid 116. This movement of the lever 93 releases the pin 121 and allows the circuit maker 120 to function, connecting leads 158 and 159 and thusshort circuiting the reset button 135 so that the destination of the carrier can not be aifected by any subsequent depression of that button.

Upon its arrival at out station B, the carrier trips the circuit breaker 76 of the cut-ofi mechanism 70 and the circuit maker 29. The tripping of the circuit breaker 76 opens the primary circuit," above described, and thereupon all the other circuits are broken. Hence upon the arrival of the carrier at its destination, the motor is stopped, the solenoid 116 of the locking mechanism is deenergized, the latch 110 lifted to allow the lever 93 to resume its normal position, the bulb 125 is extinguished and the solenoid 48 deenergized allowing the shaft 49 to' descend applying the cap 45 to the pipe 44 and through the screw 56 on the collar 49 depressing the pawl 54 so that the spring can retract the diaphragm 88 and through the shaft 39 and yoke 36 swing the tongue 32 into its normal position. The circuit maker 29 when tripped. completes two circuits, one lighting the'bulb 28 at the station B and the other lighting the green bulb 126 at station A. The first circuits is from main line 150 through lead 185, circuit maker 29, lead 186, bulb 28, and lead 170 to main line 151, while the second circuit is from main line 150 through lead 185, circuit maker 29, lead 186', bulb 126 and lead 167 to main line 151. These circuits by which the operators at both stations A and B are advised that the carrier has arrived at its destination are maintained until the carrier has been removed from the receptacle 2'7.

It is obvious that the operation of the system when carriers are dispatched from the central station Ato out-stations (3,1) or E is similar to that abovedescribed. Hence no detaildescription thereof will be given but it will be noted that since there is no switch mechanism 30associated with station E there is no solenoid at that station to be energized and consequently no equivalent of the circuit including lead 166 is provided.

lVhen a carrier is to be dispatched along the return line 14 from any of the outstations to the central station the door 24 at the outstation is opened and the carrier placed in the line. The opening of the door trips the circuit maker 25 and starts the motor 15 into operation through the circuit, thus completed from main line 150 through lead 190, circuit maker 25, leads 191, 192, retiming relay 26, and lead 182 to main line 151. The retiming relay 26 may be of any desired type and is here shown as comprising relays 193, 194, timer solenoid 195 and switches 196, 197 controlled by 'the solenoid 195. The coils 198, 200 of the relays 193, 194 are connected across the leadsl92, 182 and when energized by the completion of the circuit above described close switches 199, 201 respectively. The switch 199, when closed completes abypass from the main circuit from coil 198 through lead 202, switch 199, lead203, solenoid 195, lead 179, coil 180 of the main motor switch relay 17 and lead 181 to lead 182. The bypass: circuit thus closes the main switch to start the motor 15 and also energizes the solenoid 195 to close the switches 196,, 197. The switch 201, when closed, completes a circuit from the main line 150 through leads 205, 206, switch 201, leads 207, 208 and switch 196 to main line 151 through the switch coil 180. The relays 193, 194 are only energized momentarily when the circuit maker 25 is tripped by the openingof the door and in order to keep the motor 15 in operation until the carrier reaches its destination the switch 197 is'provided by which the lead 208 above described is connected to the lead 205 through a lead 209. Thus the coil 180 is energized until the switches 196, 19. are opened by the solenoid 195 which is so. adjusted that itwill hold the switches closed until a carrier from the furthest outstation, in the present instance station E, has completed its travel to the central station A.

The dispatching of a second carrier from any terminal 22 remakes the circuits above described and resets the solenoid 195 so that the travel ofother, carriers already in the return line will not be affected. It will also be noted that the completion of the motor circuit when a carrier is dispatched along the 7 main: line from the central station 1s independent of the circuits completed by the circuit makers 25 and that there is no danger of having the motor stop before, a carrier reaches its destination.

lVhile one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that I am not limited thereto and that changes may be made therein and other embodiments of the invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and. scope'of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a pneumatic line, branch lines leading therefrom, switch mechanism at the junction ofeach branch line with the mainline, each switch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue mov ably mounted'in the housing and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers along the main line, and a pneumatic control device which, when effective, moves the tongue from its normal position to a deflect ing position, means for setting up in the main l ne a low of carrier impelling air, and an electric circuit for actuating said flow setting up means and predetermined switch mechanism, including a circuit breaker in the branch line to each outstation and a normally open switch said central station, whereby when said switch is closed to complete the circuit, a flow carrier impelling air is set up and the pneumatic control device of the predetermined switch mechanism is rendered effective dispatch system, a main until the carrier .in'transit actuates the circuit breaker in the, branch line controlled by the predetermined switch mechanism opening the circuit and restoring the systemto its normal inoperative condition. 7 g V 2. pneumatic dispatchsystem, a main line, branch lines leadingtherefrom, switch mechanismat the junction of each branch line with the main line, each' -switch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue movably mounted in the housing and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers along the main line, and a pneumatic control device which, when effective, moves the tongue from itsnormal position to a deflecting position, means forsetting up in themain line a flow of carrier impelling air, anelectric circuit for actuating said flow setting up means and predetermined switch mechanism, including a'circuit breaker in the branch line to each outstation, a normally open'switch at said central station and anormally closed reset switch at said central station by which the circuit, closed by the normally open switch, isopened and means, actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the main line at the central station, for. rendering said'reset switch ineffective after a carrier has been dispatched and maintaining said circuit until the carrier in transit has tripped the circuit breaker in the branch line to which it is deflect-ed by the deflector tongue.

3. In a pneumaticdispatch system, a main line, branch lines leading therefrom, switch mechanism at the junction of each branch line with the main line, each switch mechanism compris nga housing, a deflector tongue mov ably mounted in the housing and normallyin a position to permit free traveiof carriers along the main line, and'a pneumatic control device which, when eflective, moves the tongue from its normal position to a deflecting position, means for settingup in the main line a flow of carrier impelling air, an electric circuit including a coil, a circuit breaker. in the branch line to each outstation and it normally open switch at said central station, and circuits for actuating said flow setting up means and predetermined switchmechanism respectively, each of said circuits, including a normally openswitch closed by the energization oi said coil whereby, when the switch in said first circuit is closed and the coil is energized, a flow of carrier impelling air is set up and the pneumatic .control device of the predetermined switch mechanism is rendered eflective until the carrier in transit actu ates the circuitbreaker in the branch line controll d by the predetermined switch mechanism opening the first circuit and restoring the system to its normal. inoperative condition. p j

4:. In a pneumatic dispatch system, a main iine, branch'lines reading therefrom, switch mecha ism at the junction ofeach branch line with the main line, each switch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue movably mounted in the housing and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers along the main line, and a pneumatic control device which, when effective, moves the tongue from its normal position to a deflecting position, means for setting up in the main line a flow of carrier impellin air, an electric circuit including a coil, a circuit breaker in the branch line to each outstation, a normally open switch at the central station, and a normally closed reset switch by which the circuit, closed by the normally open switch, is opened, means, actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the main line, at the central station, for rendering said reset'switch ineffective after a carrier has been dispatched, and circuits for actuating said flow setting up meansand a predetermined switch mechanism respectively, each of said circuits including a normally open switch closed by the cnergization of said coil whereby, when the first circuit has been closed, the other circuits are closed until the carrier in transit actuates the circuit breaker in the branch line con trolled by the predetermined switch mechanism opening the first circuit and thereupon the other circuits.

5. In a pneumatic dispatch system, a main line. branch lines leading therefrom, switch mechanism at the junction of each branch line with the main line, eachswitch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue movably mounted in the housing and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers along the main line, and a pneumatic control device which, when effective,

moves the tongue from its normal position to a deflecting position, means for setting up in the main line a flow of carrier impelling air, and electrical means including a circuit breaker in the branch line to each outstation for actuating said flow setting up means and a predetermined switch mechanism until the carrier in transit actuates the circuit breaker in the branch line controlled by said switch mechanism.

6. In a pneumatic dispatch system, a main line, branch lines leading therefrom, switch mechanism at the junction of each branch line with the main line, each switch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue movably mounted'in the housing and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers along the main line, and a pneumatic control device which, when eflective, moves the tongue from its normal position to a deflecting position, means for setting up in the main line a flow of carrier impelling air, and electrical means for actuating said flow setting up means and a predetermined switch mechanism, including a circuit breaker in the branch line to each outstation and a circuit maker, actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the main line at the central station, for maintaining said electrical means until the carrier in transit has actuated the circuit breaker in the branch line controlled by said switch mechanism. I 1 7. In a pneumatic dispatch system having transit line and an inlet terminal thereto,

with.

8. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line'and an inlet terminal thereto, a locking mechanism'actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carrier until the first carrier has reached its destination, and including a pivotally mounted member, one portion of which member is normally in position to be contacted by an introduced carrier to shift said member on its pivot into another position in which another portion thereof prevents the introduc tion of a second carrier 9. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line and an inlet terminal thereto, a locking mechanism actuated by'the introduction of .a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carrier until the first carrier has reached its destination, and including a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, one

end of the lever normally projects into the path of travel of the carriers and is contacted by an introduced carrier to swing the lever on its pivot into a second position in which the other end of the lever projects into the path of travel of the carriers and prevents the introduction of a second carrier.

10. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line and an inlet terminal thereto, a locking mechanism actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carrier until the first carrier has reached its destination, and including a lever consisting of two pivotally mounted sections normally movable in unison but capable of a limited independent movement, the end of one section being normally in the path of travel of the carriers and being contacted by an introduced carrier to shift the lever and thereby move the end of the other section into the path of travel of the carriers to prevent the introduction of a second carrier, the end of said other section, if it contacts with the first carrier, remaining stationary While the one section continues its movement until said. first the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carrier until the first carrier has reached. its destination and including means movable by the carrier from a position permitting the introduction of a carrier into a position preventing such introduction and means actuated by said device when actuating the flow setting up means for holding the locking means in said carrier preventing position as long as the flow setting up means is in operation. I

12. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line, an inlet terminal thereto, means for setting up a V flow of carrier impelling air through the line and a device for actuating such means, a locking mechanism actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carrier until the first carrier has reached its destination, and including a pivotally mounted lever, one end of which is normally in the path of travel of the carriers, and is engaged by an introduced carrier to swing the lever on its pivot bringing the other end thereof into the path of travel of the carriers to prevent the passage of carriers, and means actuated by said device when actuating the flow setting up means for holding the lever in said carrier preventing position as long as the flow setting up means is in operation.

13. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line, an inlet terminal thereto, means for setting up a flow of carrier impelling air through the line and a device for actuating such means, a locking mechanism actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carrier until the first carrier has reached its destination, and including a pivotally mounted lever, one end of which is normally in the path of travel of the carriers and is engaged by an introduced carrier to swing the lever on its pivot bringing the other end thereof into the path of travel of the can riers to prevent the passage of carriers, and a latch normally ineffective which is rendered efl'ective simultaneously with the actuation of the flow setting up means for holding the lever in said carrier preventing posi tion as long as the flow setting up means is in operation.

14. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line, an inlet terminal thereto, means for setting up a flow of carrier impelling air through the line, and an electric circuit for actuating such means, a locking mechanism actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second-carrier until the first carrier has reached its destination, and including means movable by the carrier iron a position permitting the introduction of a carrier into a position preventing such introduction and electrical means, actuated by the closure of said circuit to actuate the flow: setting up means, for holding the locking means in said carrier preventing position.

15. In a pneumatic dispatch system h aving atransit line, aninlet terminal thereto, means for setting up .a flow of carrier impelling air "through theline, and an'electric circuit for actuating such means, a locking mec ianism actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carrier until the carrier has reached its destination, including means movable by the carrier from a position permitting the introduction of a carrier into a position preventing such introduction and electrical means, actuated by the closure of said circuit to actuate the flow setting up means, for holding the locking means in said carrier preventing position, and means, actuated by the carrier in transit for breaking said circuit, and releasing said loci:- ing'means.

v 16. In a pneumatic dispatch system having atransit line, an inlet terminal thereto, means for setting'up a flow of carrier impelling through the line, and an electric. circuit for actuating such means, a locking mechanism actuated by theintroduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second-carrier until the. first carrier has reached its destination, and including means-movable by the carrier from a position permitting the introduction of a carrier into a position preventing such introciartion, a latch for holding said means in the "last named position, and electrical means, actuated by heclosure of said circui to actuate the flow setting up means, for rendering said'latch effective.

17. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line, an inlet terminal thereto, means for setting up a flow of carrier impelling air through the line and an electric circuit for actuating such means, a locking mechanism actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introduction of a second carri until the first carrier has reached its destination, and including means movable by the carrier from a position permitting the introduction ot a carrier into a position preventing such introduction, a latch for holding sail means in the last named position, and electrical means, actuated by the closure of said circuit to a ate the flow setting up means, for rend said latch effective, and means, actuate the carrier in transit forbrealring said circuit means actuated h and releasing said locking means thereby rendering said latch ineffective. 18. In a pneumatic dispatch system having a transit line, an inlet terminal thereto, means for setting up a flow of carrier impellmg air through the line, and an electric circuit "for actuating such means, a locking mechanism actuated by the introduction of a carrier into the line at the terminal for preventing the introdiurtion of a second carrier uiu'il the first carrier has reached its destination, and including'a lever, pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, one end of which lever normally projects in'tothe path of travel of the carriers and is contacted by an introduced carrier to swing the lever on its pivot into a second position in which the other end of the lever projects into the path of travel of the carriers and prevents the introduction of a second carrier, a latch normally inefi'ective for ho ding-5 said lever in the carrier preventing: po tion, and a solenoid energized by the 'losure of said cireuit to actuate the flow setting up In for rendering said latch cflec i ve.

a transit line, an .il terminal th reto, means i'or settnr; up n W of carrier iinpclling air through electric circuit for tJ-Q line, and an actuating such means. a locking mechanism actuated by the introduction of :1 carrier into the line at the tea inal for preventing the introd ction of a second carrier until the first carrier has reached its destination, and ineluding a lever, pivo A EEy mounted intermediate its ends, one end of which lever normally sets into the path of travel of the carriers is contacted by an introduced carrier to swing the lev on its pivot into a second position in which the other end of the lever prots into the path of travel. of the carriers -l prevents the intrmluctiou of a second itch normaliy ineffective for holdenoid energized by the closure I to actuate the flow setting up or rendering said latch efi'ective, and the carrier in transit for aid circuit whereupon said solenoid 'Aed and the latcn resumes its normal inefloc vs condition.

' ic dispatch system, a main line, branch lines leading therefrom, means for 1;); up a flow of carrier impelling air through the main line, and a switch mechaiunction of each branch line with nism at t l eacn switch mechanism comlire-ak EEO, 1;: a housing, a deflector tongue pivotaiiy mounted therein, and normally in a position to permit tree travel. of carriers in the ain line, a 'incuinotic device for controlling "ion said tongue and including a gm which separates two compartand a connection between said diaits normal position into the deflecting position in which a carrier and flow of impelling air are guided into the branch line associated with the switch mechanism.

21. In a pneumatic dispatch system, a main line, branch lines leading therefrom, means for setting up a flow of carrier impelling air I through the main line, and a switch mechanismat the junction of each branch line with the main line, each switch mechanism comprising a housing,a deflector tongue pivotally mounted therein, and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers in the main line, a pneumatic device for controlling the position of said tongue and including a diaphragm which separates two compartments, and a connection between said diaphragm and said tongue, a pipe connecting one of said compartments with said main line, a normally closed pipe leading from the other compartment, having an opening therein and a capnor nally closing said opening, and means actuated concomitantly with the operation of said flow setting up means for raising said cap and venting said pipe, whereby the air flow through the main line acts through said first pipe to change the condition of the air in said first compartment and said diaphragm shifts said tongue from its normal position into the deflecting position in which a carrier and fiow of impelling air are guided into the branch line associated with the switch mechanism.

22. in a pneumatic dispatch system, a main line, branch lines leading therefrom, means for setting up a flow of carrier impelling air through the main line, and a switch'mechanism at the junction of each branch line with the main line, each switch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue pivotally mounted therein, and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers in the main line, a pneumatic device for controlling the iosition of said tongue and including a diaphragm which separates two compartments, and a connection between said diaphragm and said tongue, a pipe connecting one of said compartments with said main line, a normally closed pipe leading from the other compartment, having an opening therein and a cap normally closing said opening, means actuated concomitantly with the operation of said flow setting up means for said cap and venting said pipe, whereby the air flow through the main line acts through said first pipe to change the condition of the air in said first compartment and said diaphragm shifts said tongue from its normal position into the deflecting position in which a carrier and flow of impelling air are guided into the branch line associated with the switch mechanism, and locking mechanism controlled by said concomitantly actuated means for securing said tongue in either of said positions. I

23. In a pneumatic dispatch system, a main line, branch lines leading therefrom, means for setting up a flow of carrier impelling air through the main line, electrical means for putting such air setting up means into op eration and a switch mechanism at the junction of each branch line with the main line, each switch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue pivotally mounted therein and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers in the main line, a pneumatic device for controlling the position of said tongue and including a diaphragm which separates two compartments, and a connection between said diaphragm and said tongue, a pipe connecting one of said com partments with said main line, a normally closed pipe leading from the other compartment having an opening therein and a cap normally closing said opening, and a solenoid energized by said electrical means for raising said cap and venting said pipe, whereby the air flow through the mainline acts through the first pipe to change the condition of the air in the first compartment and said diaphragm shifts said tongue from its vnormal position into the deflecting position in which a carrier and flow of impelling air are guided into the branch line associated with the switch mechanism.

24. In a pneumatic dispatch system, a main line, branch lines leading therefrom, means for setting up a flow of carrier impelling air through the main line, electrical means for putting such air setting up meansinto operation and a switch mechanism at the junction of each branch line with the main line, each switch mechanism comprising a housing, a deflector tongue pivotally mounted therein and normally in a position to permit free travel of carriers in the main line, a pneumatic device for controlling the position of said tongue and including a diaphragm which separates two compartment-s, and a connection between said diaphragm and'said tongue, a pipe connecting one of said compartments with said main line, a normally closed pipe leading from the other compartment having an opening therein and a cap normally closing said opening, a solenoid energized by said electrical means for raising said cap and venting said pipe, whereby the air flow through the main line acts through the first pipe to change the condition of the air in the first compartment and said diaphragm shifts said tongue from its normal position into the deflecting position in which a carrier and flow of impelling air are guided into the branch line associated with the switch mechanism, and locking mechanismcontrolled by said solenoid for securing said tongue in either of said positions.

Signed by me at Syracuse, N. Y., this 4th day of February, 1931.

CHESTER S. JENNINGS. 

